September 11, 2004.

Wednesday of the 23rd week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters,

in regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord,

but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.

So this is what I think best because of the present distress.

That it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is.

Are you bound to a wife?

Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a separation.

Are you free of a wife?

Then do not look for a wife.

If you marry, however, you do not sin.

Nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries.

But such people will experience affliction in their earthly life.

And I would like to spare you that.

I tell you, brothers, the time is running out.

From now on, let those having wives act as not having them.

Those weeping as not weeping,

those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning,

those using the world as not using it fully.

For the world in its present forms passing away.

...